Dealer panel kicks off SIGMA Annual Conference education program

SIGMA Conference Roy Strasburger

Photo caption left to right:
Roy Strasburger, CEO StrasGlobal
Paul Melgaard, VP Supply Sunoco LP
Dan Dunstan, Dir Sales and Operations Parkland USA
Travis Booth, General Counsel & VP Corp. Development Empire Petroleum Partners LLP

San Francisco, CA – Communication, technology and financial training for dealers, within the backdrop of understanding cultural and language differences, were key take-aways from the kick-off workshop at SIGMA’s 60th Annual Conference held Nov 6-8, 2018 in San Francisco.

The standing-room workshop, moderated by Roy Strasburger, CEO of StrasGlobal, the leader in providing turnkey retail site contract operations, staffing services, accounting services and retail consulting in the US, drilled down on numerous issues and growth opportunities for SIGMA members and their dealers.

According to Paul Melgaard, VP Supply Sunoco LP, the right combination of technology and face-to-face communication with their thousands of dealers requires the use of “one-to-many”technology tools in conjunction with high value on-site visits that reinforce how to be a steward of the brand.

Travis Booth, General Counsel and VP Corporate Development with Empire Petroleum Partners LLP agreed with the technology/face-to-face mandate by addressing the vital role of their salespeople to explain data analytics to their dealers and coaching them on the essential needs to re-invest in the business with LED price signs, pump maintenance, etc

Dan Dunstan, Dir Sales and Operations with Parkland USA concurred that dealers’ investmentin technology as well as optimizing their management of both in-store and outside is necessary. In fact, aspects of this are included in their contract negotiations, especially because the distance between Parkland sites is a challenge for face-to-face visits.

When questioned by Strasburger, the panel agreed that managing cultural and language differences are a fundamental component of on-site financial training. Coaching ranges from cash flow management for personal investments to compliance record-keeping and critical investment in maintenance and upgrades.

“Frankly, we just scratched the surface,” says Roy Strasburger, “How dealers execute foodservice programs is the next big topic I hope we will discuss in future SIGMA panels.”

To learn more please contact:

Roy Strasburger, President
StrasGlobal
7 North Fifth St Temple, TX USA 76501
Office: 512-298-0778 ext 209
Cell: 512-970-3488
roy@StrasGlobal.com
www.StrasGlobal.com

Liz Menz, Director of Education
SIGMA
3930 Pender Dr Ste 340 Fairfax, VA 22030-0986lmenz@sigma.org
www.sigma.org